You spent last night seeing every single hour on the clock. Today you just want to curl up in a ball or hide under your duvet. But you can’t, you have to parent the tiny human who was responsible for those dark circles under your eyes. And whilst the option of hibernating for the day is an appealing one, let me tell you three things you can do today to not only make your day that little bit better, but also to hopefully help with your sleep tonight.
- Get outside. I know, I know. This may be at the very bottom of the list of things you want to do today, just beneath getting dressed. But please trust me. Evidence shows getting outside not only boosts your mood but it also helps to reduce stress and give you a boost of vitamin D. But, more importantly, when that sunlight hits your eyes, its sending signals to your brain to stop the production of melatonin, which in turn will help you feel less sleepy. Stopping your melatonin production also helps reset your circadian rhythm, your 24 hour internal clock, helping your body naturally wind down at bedtime later this evening, hopefully improving your quality and quantity of sleep tonight. And it’s not just you that can benefit, your little one will also reap the rewards of that sunlight, helping reset their own internal 24 hour clock.
- Be kind. Raising small humans is hard. Especially on no sleep. Give yourself some grace today, and maybe make time for that cup of tea on the sofa or your favourite TV show. Also consider reducing social media time today. You know that woman with 10 kids who is making their breakfast from scratch by foraging in the woods whilst simultaneously playing lullabies on her ukulele (I mean, I don’t know if she exists, but you get the picture), don’t go comparing yourself to her or anyone today. Be kind to yourself.
- This too shall pass. Now I don’t mean this in the sense that, ‘these days go by so quickly, cherish each moment’, because mama, it’s hard to cherish a day where you look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge and you’re running on 3 hours of broken sleep. But know that you won’t always feel like this. Every day won’t feel this hard. Days are very rarely amazing all day long, the ebbing and flowing of our emotions and how we feel is normal. It’s what it is to be human. So feel how you feel today, and know that it will pass.
I have been there too in the depths of true sleep deprivation, please know you are never alone. Now go get your shoes and coat, and go get outside.
